Boracay now world's best island

CEBU, Philippines - After placing 4th last year, Boracay Island is now the “Best Island in the World”, as proclaimed by TravelandLeisure.com, a website that features the best destinations and getaways from all over the world.

In Travel+Leisure’s annual “World’s Best Survey,” readers ranked their favorites.

“The results show that no distance is too great when a fabulous island waits as your reward. So whether your island hopping takes you across the country or around the world, here’s where to go to find secluded beaches, wildlife encounters, and luxurious pampering,” the website stated.

Despite being a tiny island, Boracay, earned the approval of the readers which showed in its major leap from the fourth rank to the top spot.

The website showed how travelers appreciated Boracay’s natural beauty.

TravelandLeisure.com described Boracay Island as the best beach with a 2.5-mile stretch of powder-white sands, often cited as the world’s softest, lapped by the translucent Sulu Sea.

Bali, Indonesia, ranked second with its temples and “vibrant cultural scene”.

Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, is on the third spot while Maui, Hawaii, ranked fourth.

Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Islands bagged the fifth place.

Santorini in Greece ranked sixth while Kauai and Big Island in Hawaii ranked seventh and eighth, respectively.

Sicily in Italy ranked ninth, with its rich history and culinary traditions while Vancouver Island in British Columbia, completes the final ten.

Prior to Boracay Island’s being declare as the Best Island in the World, it was also reported in The FREEMAN last June that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) included Cebu’s Malapascua Island on its list of the best beaches in the Philippines prompting the tourism department to include the island in their 2012 National Tourism Development Plan.

— (FREEMAN)